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THE ALABAMA 



THE KEARSARGE. 



AN ACCOUNT 



fiabal ffingagcnicnt in t^c toritisb Cj/l^anncI, 

OK SVKBAY, JIWE 19th, ISG4, 

FROM INFORMATION FURNISHED TO THR WRITER BY THE WOUNDlED AND 

PAROLED PRISONERS OF THE CONFEDERATE PRIVATEER "ALABAMA," 

THE OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES SLOOP-OF-WAR 

"KEARSAUGE," and C"'^^ENS OF CHERBOURG. 



FREDERICK MILNES EDGE. 




PHILADELPHIA : 
KING & BAIRD, PRINTERS, GOT SANSOM STREET. 

1868. 



i'^rJ'i^-'' 




Qass E g^ 

Book -AzE^ 



THE ALABAMA 



THE KEAKSAEGE 



A.N A.CCOUl:^T 



n0agemcnt in t\t ^ntisl^ 



Imni«I, 



OJV SUNDAY, jmrE 19th, 1864, 

FROM INFORMATION FURXISHED TO THE WRITER BY THE WOUNDED AND 

PAROLED PRISONERS OF THE CONFEDERATE PRIVATEER " ALABAMA," 

THE OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES SLOOP-OF-WAR 

" KEARSARGE," AND CITIZENS OF CHERBOURG. 



FREDERICK MILNES EDGE. 



PHILADELPHIA : 
KING & BAIRD, PRINTERS, 607 SANSOM STREET. 

1868. 






OQi-XSEOj 



T 



HE Alabama and the: Kearsarge. 



The importance of the engagement between the 
United States Sloop-of-war, Kearsarge, and the Con- 
federate Privateer, Alabama, cannot be estimated by 
the size of the two vessels. The conflict off Cher- 
bourg on Sunday, the 19th of June, was the first 
decisive engagement between shipping propelled by 
steam, and the first test of the merits of modern naval 
artillery. It was, moreover, a contest for superiority 
between the ordnance of Europe and America, whilst 
the result furnishes us with data wherefrom to esti- 
mate the relative advantages of rifled and smooth-bore 
cannon at short range. 

Perhaps no greater or more numerous misrepresen- 
tations were ever made in regard to an engagement 
than in. reference to the one in question. The first 
news of the conflict came to us enveloped in a mass 
of statements, the greater part of which, not to use an 
unparliamentary expression, was diametrically opposed 
to the truth; and although several weeks have now 
elapsed since the Alabama followed her many defence- 
less victims to their watery grave, these misrepresen- 
tations obtain as much credence as ever. The victory 
of the Kearsarge was accounted for, and the defeat of 



4 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

the Alabama excused or palliated upon the following 
principal reasons : 

1. The superior size and speed of the Kearsarge. 

2. The superiority of her armament. 

3. The chain-plating of her sides. 

4. The greater number of her crew. 

5. The unpreparedness of the Alabama. 

6. The assumed necessity of Captain Semmes' ac- 
cepting the challenge sent him (as represented) by 
the commander of the Kearsarge. 

Besides these misstatements there have been others 
put forth, either in ignorance of the real facts of the 
case, or with a purposed intention of diminishing the 
merit of the victory by casting odiimi upon the 
Federals on the score of inhumanity. In the former 
category must be placed the remarks of the Times 
(June 21st); but it is just to state that the observa- 
tions in question -were made on receipt of the first 
news, and from information furnished probably by 
parties unconnected with the paper, and desirous of 
palliating the Alabama's defeat by any means in their 
power. We are informed in the article above referred 
to that the guns of the latter vessel " had been pointed 
for 2,000 yards, and the second shot went right 
through the Kearsarge," whereas no shot whatever 
went through as stated. Again, " the Kearsarge fired 
about IdO (shot), chiefiy U-in. shell," the fact being 
that not one-third of her projectiles were of that calibre. 
Further on we find — "The men (of the Alabama) 
w^ere all true to the last; they only ceased firing when 
the water came to the muzzles of their guns." Such 
a declaration as this is laughable in the extreme : the 
Alabama's guns were all on the spar-deck, like those 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 5 

of the Kearsarge ; and, to achieve what the Times 
represents, her men must have fought on until the 
hull of their vessel was two feet under water. The 
truth is — if the evidence of the prisoners saved by the 
Kearsarge may be taken — Captain Semmes hauled 
down his flag immediately after being informed by 
his chief engineer that the water was putting out the 
fires ; and, within a few minutes, the water gained so 
rapidly on the vessel that her bow rose slowly in the 
air, and half her guns obtained a greater elevation 
than they had ever known previously. It is unfor- 
tunate to find such cheap-novel style of writing in a 
paper which at some future period may be referred to 
as an authoritative chronicler of events now transpiring. 
It would be too long a task to notice all the 
numerous misstatements of private individuals, and 
of the English and French press in reference to this 
action: the best mode is to give the facts as they 
occurred, leaving the public to judge by internal evi- 
dence on which side the iiuth exists. 

Within a few days of the fight, the writer of these 
pages cro.'sed from London to Cherbourg for the pur- 
pose of obtaining by personal examination full and 
precise information in reference to the engagement. 
It would seem as though misrepresentation, if not 
positive falsehood, were inseparable from every thing 
connected with the Alabama, for, on reaching the 
French naval station, he was positively assured by the 
people on shore that nobody was permitted to board 
the Kearsarge. Preferring, however, to substantiate 
the truth of these allegations from the officers of the 
vessel themselves, he hired a boat and sailed out to 
the sloop, receiving on his arrival an immediate and 
polite reception from Captain Winslow and his gallant 



6 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

subordinates. During the six days he remained at 
Cherbourg, he found the Kearsarge open to the inspec- 
tion, above and below, of any and every body who 
chose to visit her; and he frequently heard surprise 
expressed by English and Frcncli visitors alike that 
representations on shore were so inconsonant with the 
truth of the case. 

I found the Kearsarge lying under the guns of the 
French ship-of-thc-line " Napoleon," two cables' length 
from that vessel, and about a mile and a half from the 
harbor ; she had not moved from that anchorage since 
entering the port of Cherbourg, and no repairs what- 
ever had been effected in her hull since the fight. 
I had thus full opportunity to examine the extent of 
her damage, and she certainly did not look at all like 
a vessel which liad just been engaged in one of the 
hottest conflicts of modern times. 

SIZE OF THE TWO VESSELS. 

The Kearsarge, in size, is by no means the terrible 
craft represented by those who, for some reason or 
other, seek to detract from the honor of her victory ; 
she appeared to me a mere yacht in comparison with 
the shipping around her, and disappointed many of 
the visitors who came to see her. The relative ])ro- 
portions of the two antagonists were as follows : 

Ai.ahama. Keaksakoe. 

Length over all 220 feet. 232 feet. 

Length of keel 210 " 198i " 

Beam 33 " 33 " 

Depth 17 " IGi " 

Horse power, 2 engines of 300 each. 400 h. p. 

Tonnage 1,040 1,031* 

* The Kearsarge has a four-bladed screw, diameter twelve feet nine 
inches with a pitch of twenty feet. 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 7 

The Alabama was a barque-rigged screw propeller, 
and the heaviness of her rig, and, above all, the 
greater size and height of her masts, would give her 
the appearance of a much larger vessel than her 
antagonist. The masts of the latter are dispropor- 
tionately low and small ; she has never carried more 
than top-sail yards, and depends for her speed upon 
her machinery alone. It is to be questioned whether 
the Alabama, with all her reputation for velocity, 
could, in her best trim, outsteam her rival. The log- 
book of the Kearsarge, which I was courteously per- 
mitted to examine, frequently shows a speed of up- 
wards of fourteen knots the hour, and her engineers 
state that her machinery was never in better working 
order than at the present time. I have not seen 
engines more compact in form, nor, apparently, in 
finer condition; looking in every part as though they 
were fresh from the workshop, instead of being, as 
they are, half through the third year of the cruise. 

Ships-of-war, however, whatever may be their ton- 
nage, are nothing more than platforms for carrying 
artillery. The only mode by which to judge of the 
strength of the two vessels is in comparing their arma- 
ments ; and herein we find the equality of the antago- 
nists as fully exemplified as in the respective propor- 
tions of their hulls and steam-power. The armaments 
of the Alabama and Kearsarge were as follows : 

ARMAMENT OF THE ALABAMA. 

One seven-inch Blakely rifle. 

One eight-inch smooth-bore (sixty-eight-pounder). 

Six thirty-two-pounders. 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 



ARMAMENT OF THE KEARSARGE. 



Two eleven-inch smooth-bore guns. 



One thirty-pounder rifle. 
Four thirty-two-pounders. 



It will therefore be seen that the Alabama had the 
advantage of the Kearsarge — at all events in the 
number of her guns ; whilst the weight of the latter's ^jf 
broadside was only some twenty per cent, greater than 
her own. This disparity, however, was more than 
made up by the greater rapidity of the Alabama's 
firing, and, above all, by the superiority of her artillery- 
men. The Times informs us that Captain Semmes 
asserts, " he owes his best men to the training they 
received on board the ' Excellent ;' " and trained gun- 
ners must naturally be superior to the volunteer gun- 
ners on board the Kearsarge. Each vessel fought all 
her guns, with the exception in either case of one 
thirty-two-pounder, on the starboard side; but the 
struggle was really decided by the two eleven-inch 
Dahlgren smooth-bores of the Kearsarge against the 
seven-inch Blakely rifle and the heavy sixty-cight- 
poundcr pivot of the Alabama. The Kearsarge cer- 
tainly carried a small thirty-pounder rifled Dahlgren 
in pivot on her forecastle, and this gun was fired 
several times before the rest were brought into play ; 
but the gun in question was never regarded as aught 
than a failure, and the Ordnance Department of the 
United States Navy has given up its manufacture. 



/ 



The Alabama and the Kearsargc. 



THE CHAIN-PLATING OF THE KEARSARGE. 

Great stress has been laid upon the chain-plating 
of the Kearsarge, and it is assumed by interested par- 
ties that, but for this armor, the contest would have 
resulted differently A pamphlet lately published in 
this city, entitled " The Career of the Alabama,"* 
makes the following statements : 

"The Federal Government had fitted out the Kearsarge, a new 
vessel of great speed, iron-coated,'''' &c. (p. 23.) 

"She," the Kearsarge, "appeared to be temporarily \A?itG(\.yf'ii\\ iron 
chains." (p. 38.) (In the previous quotation, it would appear she had 
so been plated by the Federal Government : both statements are abso- 
lutely incorrect, as will shortly be seen.) 

"It was frequently observed that shot and shell struck against the 
Kearsarge's side, and harmlessly rebounded, bursting outside, and 
doing no damage to the Federal crew. 

' ' Another advantage accruing from this was that it sank her very 
low in the water, so low in fact, that the heads of the men who were 
in the boats were on the level of the Kearsarge's deck." (p. 39.) 

"As before observed, the sides of the Kearsarge icere trailed all over 
with chain cables.^'' (p. 41.) 

The author of the pamphlet in que stion has judi- 
ciously refrained from giving his name. A greater 
number of more unblushing misrepresentations never 
were contained in an equsl space 

In his official report to the Confederate Envoy, 
Mr. Mason, Captain Semmes makes the following 
statements : 

"At the end of the engagement, it was discovered by those of our 
officers who went alongside the enemy's ship with the wounded, that 
her midship section on both sides was thoroughly iron-coated ; this 
having been done with chain constructed for the purpose, {!) placed per- 



*The Career of the Alabama, "No. 290," from July 29, 1862, to 
June 19, 1864. London : Dorrell and Son. 



10 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

pendiciilarly from the rail to the water's eclge, the whole covered over 
by a thin outer planking, which gave no indication of the armor 
beneath. This planking had been ripped off in every direction (I) by 
our shot and shell, the chain broken and indented in many places, and 
forced partly into the ship's side. She was most effectually guarded, 
however, in this section from penetration. 

"The enemy was heavier than myself, both in ship, battery and 
crew, (!) but I did not knotc until the action was over that she teas also 
iron-clad.^' 

"Those of our officers who went alongside the 
enemy's ship with our wounded." . As soon as Cap- 
tain Semmes reached the Deerhound, the yacht 
steamed off at full speed towards Southampton, and 
Semmes wrote his report of the fight either in Eng- 
land, or on hoard the English vessel. Prohahly the 
former, for he dates his communication to Mr. Mason 
"Southampton, June 21, 1861." How did he obtain 
intelligence from those of his officers "who went 
alongside the enemy's ship," and who would naturally 
be detained as prisoners of war"? It was impossible 
for anybody to reach Southampton in the time speci- 
fied; nevertheless he did obtain such information. 
One of his officers — George T. Fullam, an English- 
man unfortunately — came to the Kearsarge in a boat 
at the close of the action, representing the Alabama 
to be sinking, and that if the Kearsarge did not hasten 
to get out boats to save life, the crew must go down 
with her. Not a moment was to be lost, and he 
offered to go back to his own vessel to bring off 
prisoners, pledging his honor to return when the 
object was accomplished. After picking up several 
men struggling in the water, he steered directly for 
the Deerhound, and on reaching her actually cast his 
boat adrift. It was subsequently picked up by the 
Kearsarge. FuUam's name appears amongst the list 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 11 

of " saved" by the Deerhound ; and he, with others of 
the Alabama's officers who had received a similar per- 
mission from their captors, and had similarly broken 
their troth, of course gave the above information to 
their veracious captain. 

The chain-plating of the Kearsarge was decided 
upon in this wise. The vessel lay off Fayal towards 
the latter part of April, 1863, on the lookout for a 
notorious blockade-runner, named the " Juno." The 
Kearsarge being shor<- of coal, and fearing some 
attempts at opposition on the part of her prey, the 
first officer of the sloop, Lieutenant-Commander James 
S. Thornton, suggested to Captain Win slow the ad- 
visability of hanging her spare anchor-cable over her 
sides, so as to protect her midship section. Mr. 
Thornton had served on board the flag-ship of Admiral 
Farragut, the " Hartford," when she and the rest of 
the Federal fleet ran the forts of the Mississippi to 
reach New Orleans ; and he made the suggestion at 
Fayal through having seen the advantage gained by 
it on that occasion. I now copy the following extract 
from the log-book of the Kearsarge : 

"HoRTA Bay, Fayal, 3Iay 1st, 1863. 
''From 8 to Merid. Wind E.N.E. (F. 2). Weather b. c. Strapped, 
loaded, and fused (5 sec. fuse) 13 Xl-inch shell. Commenced armor- 
plating ship, using sheet chain. 'Weighed kedge anchor. 

(Signed,) "E. JVI. STODDARD, 

" Acting Master." 

This operation of chain-armoring took three days, 
and was effected without assistance from the shore 
and at an expense of material of seventy-five dollars, 
(£15.) In order to make the addition less unsightly, 



12 The Alabama and the Kearsargc. 

the chains were boxed over with inch-deal boards, 
forming a case or box, which stood out at right angles 
from the vessel's sides. This box would naturally 
excite curiosity in every port where the Kearsarge 
touched, and no mystery was made as to what the 
boarding covered. Captain Semmes was perfectly 
cognizant of the entire affair, notwithstanding his 
shameless assertion of ignorance ; for he spoke about 
it to his officers and crew several days prior to the 
19th of June, declaring that the chains were only 
attached together with rope-yarns, and would drop 
into the water when struck witli the first shot. I was 
so informed by his own wounded men lying in the 
naval hospital at Cherbourg. AYhatever might be the 
value for defence of this chain-plating, it was only 
struck once during the engagement, so far as I could 
discover by a long and close inspection. Some of the 
officers of the Kearsarge asserted to me that it was 
struck twice, whilst others deny that declaration : in 
one spot, liowever, a thirty-two-pounder shot broke in 
the deal co\ering and smashed a single link, two-thirds 
of which fell into the water. The remainder is in my 
possession, and proves to be of the ordinary five and 
a quarter-inch chain. Had the cable been struck by 
the rifled one hundred and twenty-pounder instead of 
by a thirty-two, the result might have been different; 
but in any case tlie damage would have amounted to 
notliing serious, for the vessel's side Avas hit five feet 
above the water-line and nowhere in the vicinity of 
the boilers or macliinery. Captain Semmes evidently 
regarded this protection of the chains as little worth, 
for he might have adopted the same plan before en- 
gaging the Kearsarge ; but he confined himself to 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 13 

taking on board one hundred and fifty tons of coal as 
a protection to Ids boilers, which, in addition to the 
two hundred tons already in his bunkers, would bring 
him pretty low in the water. The Kearsarge, on the 
contrary, was deficient in her coal, and she took what 
was necessary on board during my stay at Cherbourg. 
The quantity of chain used on each side of the 
vessel in this much-talked-of armoring is only one 
hundred and twenty fathoms, and it covers a space 
amidships of forty-nine feet six inches in length, by 
six feet two inches in depth. The chain, which is 
single, not double, was and is stopped to eye-bolts 
with rope-yarn and by iron dogs.* Is it reasonable 
to suppose that this plating of one and seven-tenths- 
inch iron (the thickness of the links of the chain) 
could offer any serious resistance to the heavy sixty- 
eight-pounder and the seven-inch Blakely rifle of the 
Alabama — at the comparatively close range of se^en 
hundred yards ? What then becomes of the mistaken 
remark of the Times that the Kearsarge was " pro- 
vided, as it turned out, with some special contrivances 
for protection," or Semmes' declaration that she was 
" iron-clad ?" " The Career of the Alabama," in re- 
ferring to the chain-plating, says : " Another advan- 
tage accruing from this was that it sank her very low 
in the water, so low in fact, that the heads of the men 
who were in the boats were on the level of the Kear- 
sarge's deck."' It is simply ridiculous to suppose that 
the weight of two hundred and forty fathoms of chain 
could have any such effect upon a vessel of one thou- 



* There was nothing whatever between the chain and the sliip'& 
sides. 



14 The Alabama and the Kearsargc. 

sand tons burden ; whilst, in addition, the cable itself 
was part of the ordinary gear of the ship. Further, 
the Kearsarge was deficient in seventy tons of coal of 
her proper supply at the time of action, while the 
Alabama had three hundred and fifty tons on board. 

The objection that the Alabama was short-handed 
does not appear to be borne out by the facts of the 
case ; while, on the other hand, a greater number of 
men than were necessary to work the guns and sliip 
would be more of a detriment than a benefit to the 
Kearsarge. The latter vessel had twenty-two officers 
on board, and one hundred and forty men : the 
Alabama is represented to have had only one hundred 
and twenty in her crew, (INIr. Mason's statement,) but 
if lior officers be included in this number, the asser- 
tion is obviously incorrect, for the Kearsarge saved 
sixty-seven,* the T3eerhound forty-one, and the French 
pilot-boats 12, and this, without mentioning the thir- 
teen accounted for as killed and wounded,"f* and others 
who went down with the ship. If Captain Semmes' 
representations were correct in regard to his being 
short-handed, he certainly ought not to be trusted 
with the command of a vessel again, however much 
he may be esteemed by some parties for his Quixotism 
in challenging an antagonist — to use his own words — 
" heavier than myself both in sliip, battery, and crew." 

The asserted unpreparcdness of the Alabama is 
about as truthful as the other representations, if we 
may take Captain Semmes' report, and certain facts, 
in rebutting evidence. The Captain writes to Mr. 
Mason, " I cannot deny myself the pleasure of saying 

* Including three dead. \ See page 41. 



The Alabama and the Kcarsarge. 15 

that Mr. Kell, my First Lieutenant, deserves great 
credit for the fine condition the ship went into action;" 
but if Captain Semmes were right in the alleged want 
of preparation, he himself is alone to blame. He had 
ample time for protecting his vessel and crew in all 
possible manners; he, not the Kearsarge, was the 
aggressor; and but for his forcing the fight the 
Alabama might still be riding inside Cherbourg 
breakwater. Notwithstanding the horrible cause for 
which he is struggling, and the atrocious depredations 
he has committed upon helpless merchantmen, we can 
still admire the daring he evinced in sallying forth 
from a secure haven and gallantly attacking his oppo- 
nent ; but when he professes ignorance of the charac- 
ter of his antagonist, and unworthily attempts to dis- 
parage the victory of his foe, we forget all our first 
sympathies, and condemn the moral nature of the man 
as he has forced us to do his judgment. 

Nor must it be forgotten that the Kearsarge has 
had fewer opportunities for repairs than the Alabama, 
and that she has been cruising around in all seas for 
a much longer period than her antagonist.^ The 
Alabama, on the contrary, had lain for many days in 
Cherbourg, and she only steamed forth when her Cap- 
tain supposed her to be in at all events as good a con- 
dition as the enemy. 

THE CHALLENGE. 

Finally, the challenge to fight was given by the 
Alabama to the Kearsarge, not by the Kearsarge to 



* The Kearsarge started on her present cruise the 4th of February, 
1862 ; the Alabama left the Mersey at the end of July following. 



16 llic Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

the Alabama. " The Career of the Alabama," above 
referred to, makes the follo'W'ing romantic statement : 



"When lie (Semmes) was challenged by the commander of the Kear- 
sarge, everybody in Cherbourg, it ai)i)ears, said it would be disgraceful 
if he refused the challenge, and this, coupled with his belief that the 
Kearsarge was not so strong as she really proved to be, made him 
agree to fight." (p. 41.) 



On the Tuesday after the battle, and before leaving 
London for Cherbourg, I was shown a telegram by a 
member of the House of Commons, forwarded to him 
that morning. The telegram was addressed to one 
of the gentleman's constituents by his son, a sailor on 
board the Alabama, and was dated " C. S. S. Alabama, 
Cherbourg, June 14th," the sender stating that they 
were about to engage the Kearsarge on the morrow, 
or next day. I have not a copy of this telegram, but 
" The Career of tlie Alabama" gives a letter to the 
like effect from the surgeon of the Privateer, addressed 
to a gentleman in this city. The letter reads as fol- 
lows: 

"CnERBOURG, Jinieli, 18G4. 
"Dear Travers : Here we are. I send this by a gentleman coming 
to London. An enemy is outside. If sJie only stays long enovgh, we go 
out and fight her. If I live, expect to see me in London shortly. If I 
die, give my best love to all who know me. If Monsieur A. de Caillct 
should call on you, please show him every attention. 
"I remain, dear Travers, ever yours, 

"D. n. LLEWELLYN." 



There were two brave gentlemen on board the 
Alabama — ]ioor I^lewellyn, who nobly refused to save 
his own life by leaA'ing his wounded, and a young 
Lieutenant, Mr. Joseph Wilson, \\\\o honorably de- 



Hie Alabama and the Kcarsargc. 17 

livered up his sword on the deck of the Kearsarge 
when the other officers threw theirs into the water. 

The most unanswerable proof of Captain Semmes 
havinof challenged the Commander of the Kearsarge 
is to be found in the following letter addressed by 
him to the Confederate consul or agent at Cherbourg. 
After the publication of this document, it is to be 
hoped we shall hear no more of Captain Winslow's 
having committed such a breach of discipline and 
etiquette as that of challenging a rebel against his 
Government. 



CAPTAIN SEMMES' CHALLENGE TO THE KEARSAEGE. 

"C. S. S. Alabama, 

"Cherboukg, June lAih, 1864. 
"To Ad. BoNFiLS, Esq., 

"Cherbourg : 

"Sir : I liear that you were informed by tlie United States Consul, 
that the Kearsarge was to come to this port solely for the prisoners 
landed by me,* and that she was to depart in twenty-four hours. I 
desire you to say to the United States Consul, that my intention is to 
fight the Kearsarge as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements. 
I hope these will not detain me more than until to-morrow evening, 
or after the morrow morning at farthest. I beg she wiU not depart 
before I am ready to go out. 

' ' I have the honor to be, 

"Very respectfully, your obedient sei-vant, 

"R. SEMMES, 

"Captaiu." 

Numerous facts serve to prove that Captain Semmes 
had made every preparation to engage the Kearsarge, 
and that wide-spread publicity had been given to his 



* This infoi-mation was incorrect. No such statement was ever 
made by the Consul of the United States at Cherbourg. 

F. M. E. 
2 



18 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

intention. As soon as the arrival of the Federal 
vessel was known at Paris, an American gentleman 
of high position came down to Cherhourg, with 
instructions for Captain Winslow; but so desirous 
were the French authorities to preserve a really lionest 
neutrality, that permission was only granted to liim 
to sail to her after his promising to return to shore 
immediately on the delivery of his message. Once 
back in Cherbourg, and about to return to Paris, he 
was advised to remain over night, as the Alabamn 
intended to figlt the Kearsarge next day, (Sunday.) 
On Sunday morning, an excursion train arrived from 
the capital, and the visitors were received at the ter- 
minus of the railway by the boatmen of tlie port, who 
offered them boats for the purpose of seeing a genuine 
naval battle which teas to take jplace during the day. 
Turning such a memorable occurrence to practical 
uses, Monsieur Hondin, a photographic artist on the 
Place d^Armes at Cherbourg, prepared the necessary 
chemicals, plates, and camera, and placed himself on 
the summit of the old Church tower, which the 
whilom denizens of Cherbourg had very properly 
built in happy juxtaposition witli his establishment. 
I was only able to see tlie negative, but that was quite 
sufficient to show that the artist had obtained a very 
fine view, indeed, of the exciting contest. Five days, 
however, had elapsed since Captain Semmes sent his 
challenge to Captain Winslow through the Con- 
federate agent, Monsieur Bonfils ; surely time suflS- 
cient for him to make all the preparations which he 
considered necessary. Meanwhile, the Kearsarge was 
cruising to and fro at sea, outside the breakwater. 
The Kearsarge reached Cherbourg on the 14th, 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 19 

and her Captain only heard of Captain Semmes' inten- 
tion to fight him on the following day. Five days, 
however, elapsed before the Alabama put in an 
appearance, and her exit from the harbor was heralded 
by the English yacht Deerhonnd. The officer on 
watch aboard the Kearsarge made out a three-masted 
vessel steaming from the harbor, the movements of 
which were somewhat mysterious : after remaining a 
short time only, this steamer, which subsequently 
proved to be the Deerhound, went back into port; 
only returning to sea a few minutes in advance of 
the Alabama, and the French iron-clad La Couronne. 
Mr. Lancaster, her owner, sends a copy of his log to 
the Times, the first two entries being as follows : 

"Sunday, Jmie 19, 9 a.m. — Got up steam and in-oceeded out of 
Cliei'bourg harbor. 

"10.30 — Observed the ' Alabama" steamuig out of the harbor towardi? 
the Federal steamer 'Kearsarge.' "* 



* The following is the copy of the log of the Kearsarge on the day 
in question : 

''June Id, 1864. 
"From 8 to Merid. — Moderate breeze from the Wd. weather b. c. 
At 10, inspected crew at quarters. At 10.20, discovered the Alabama 
steaming out from the port of Cherbourg, accompanied by a French 
iron-clad steamer, and a fore-and-aft rigged steamer showing the white 
English ensign and a yacht flag. Beat to general quarters, and 
cleared the ship for action. Steamed ahead standing off shore. At 
10.50, being distant from the land about two leagues, altered our 
course, and approached the Alabama. At 10.57, the Alabama com- 
menced the action with her starboard broadside at 1,000 yards range. 
At 11, we returned her fire, and came fairly into action, which we 
continued until Merid., when, observing signs of distress in the enemy, 
together with a cessation of her fire, our fire was tcithJield. At 12.10, a 
boat with an ofiicer from the Alaliama came alongside and surrendered 
his vessel, with the information that she was rapidly sinking, and a 
request for assistance. Sent the Launch and 2d Cutter, the other 



20 21\e Alabama and the Kcarsarge. 

Mr. Lancaster does not inform us why an English 
gentleman should choose a Sunday morning, of all 
days in the week, to cruise about at an early hour 
with ladies on board, nor does he supply the public 
with information as to the movements of the Deer- 
hound during the hour and a half which elapsed 
between his exit from the htrbor and the appearance 
of the Alabama. The preceding paragraph, however, 
supplies the omission. 

THE EXGAGEMENT. 

At length the Alabama made her appearance in 
company with the Couronne, the latter vessel con- 
vevino- her outside the limit of French waters. Here 
let me pay a tribute to the careful neutrality of the 
French authorities. No sooner was the limit of juris- 
diction reached, than the Couronne put down her 
helm, and, without any delay, steamed back into port, 
not even lingering outside the breakwater to witness 
the fight. Curiosity, if not worse, anchored the Eng- 
lish vessel in handy vicinity to the combatants. Her 
presence proved to be of much utility, for she picked 



boats being disabled by the fire of the enemy. The English yacht 
before mentioned, coming within hail, was requested by the Captain 
(W.) to render assistance in saving the lives of the officers and crew 
of the surrendered vessel. At 2.24, the Alabama went down in forty 
fathoms of water, leaving most of the crew struggling in the water. 
Seventy jjcrsons were rescued by the boats ; two pilot-boats and the 
yacht also assisted. One pilot-boat came alongside us, but the other 
returned to the port. The yacht steamed rapidly away to the Nd. 
without reporting the number of our prisoners she had picked up. 
"(Signed,) JAMES S. WHEELER, 

" Acting Miister." 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 21 

up no less than fourteen of the Alabama's officers, and 
amons: them the redoubtable Semmes himself. 

So soon as the Alabama was made out, the Kear- 
sarge immediately headed seaward and steamed off 
the coast, the object being to get a sufficient distance 
from the land so as to obviate any possible infringe- 
ment of French jurisdiction ; and, secondly, that in 
case of the battle going against the Alabama, the 
latter could not retreat into port. When this was 
accomplished, the Kearsarge was turned shortly round 
and steered immediately for the Alabama, Captain 
Winslow desiring to get within close range, as his 
guns were shotted with five-seconds shell. The 
interval between the two vessels being reduced to a 
mile or thereabouts, the Alabama sheered and dis- 
charged a broadside, nearly a raking fire, at the Kear- 
sarge. More speed was given to the latter to shorten 
the distance, and a slight sheer to prevent raking. 
The Alabama fired a second broadside and part of a 
third while her antagonist was closing ; and at the 
expiration of ten or twelve minutes from the Alabama's 
opening shot, the Kearsarge discharged her first broad- 
side. The action henceforward continued in a circle, 
the distance between the two vessels being about seven 
hundred yards ; this, at all events, is the opinion of 
the Federal commander and his officers, for their guns 
were sighted at that range, and their shell burst in 
and over the Privateer. The speed of the two vessels 
during the engagement did not exceed eight knots 
the hour. 

At the expiration of one hour and two minutes 
from the first gun, the Alabama hauled down her 



22 The Alabama and the Kearsargc. 

colors, and fired a Ice gun (according to tlic statements 
of her officers) in token of surrender. C'aptain 
Winslow could not, however, believe tliat the enemy 
had struck, as his own vessel had received so little 
damage, and he could not regard his antagonist as 
much more injured than himself; and it was only 
when a boat came off from the Alabama that her 
true condition was know^n. The eleven-inch shell 
from the Kearsarge, thrown wdth fifteen pounds of 
powder at seven hundred yards range, had gone clean 
through the starboard-side of the Privateer, bursting 
in the port side and tearing great gaps in her timber 
and planking. This was plainly obvious when the 
Alabama settled by the stern and raised the forepart 
of licr hull liigh out of water. 

The Kearsarge was struck tAventy-seven times 
during the conflict, and fired in all one hundred and 
seventy-three (173) shots. These were as follow^s : 



SHOTS FIRED BY THE KEARSARGE. 

Two eleven-inch guns 55 shots. 

Rille in forecastle 48 " 

Broadside thiity-two-ponndcrs GO " 

Twelve-pounder boat-howitzer 10 " 



Total 17;5 shots. 



The last-named gun performed no part whatever in 
sinking the Alabama, and was only used in the action 
to create laughter among the sailors. Tw^o old 
quartermasters, the two Dromios of the Kearsarge, 
were put in charge of this gun, with instructions to 
fire when they received the order. But the two old 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 23 

salts, little relishing the idea of having nothing to do 
while their messmates were so actively engaged, com- 
menced peppering away with their pea-shooter of a 
piece, alternating their discharges with vituperation 
of each other. This low-comedy by-play amused the 
ship's company, and the officers good-humoredly 
allowed the farce to continue untiL the single box of 
ammunition was exhausted. 



DAMAGE TO THE KEARSARGE. 

The Kearsarge was struck as follows : 

One shot through the starboard quarter, taking a 
slanting direction aft, and lodging in the rudder-post. 
This shot was from the Blakely rifle. 

One shot carrying away starboard life buoy. 

Three thirty-two-pounder shots through port bul- 
warks, forward of mizzen-mast. 

A shell, exploding after end of pivot port. 

A shell, exploding after end of chain-plating. 

A sixty-eight-pounder shell, passing through star- 
board bulwarks below main-rigging, wounding three 
men — the only casualties amongst the crew during 
the engagement. 

A Blakely-rifle shell, passing through the engine- 
room sky-light, and dropping harmlessly in the water 
beyond the vessel. 

Two shots below plank-sheer, abreast of boiler 
hatch. 

One, forward pivot port plank-sheer. 

One, forward foremast-rigging. 

A shot striking Launch's toping-lift. 



24 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

A rifle-sliell, passing through funnel, bursting with- 
out damage inside. 

One, starboard forward main-shroud. 

One, starboard after-shroud main-topmast rigging. 

One, main topsail tye. 

One, main topsail outhaul. 

One, main topsail runner. 

Two, through port-quarter boat. 

One, tlirough spanker (furled). 

One, starboard forward shroud, mizzen rigging. 

One, starboard mizzen-topmast backstay. 

One, through mizzen peak-signal halyards, which 
cut the stops when the battle was nearly over, and for 
the first time let loose the flag to the breeze. 

This list of damages received by the Kearsarge 
proves the exceedingly bad fire of the Alabama, not- 
^^^ithstanding the nutnbers of men on board the latter 
belonging to our "Naval Reserve," and the trained 
hands from the gunnery ship "' Excellent." I was 
informed by some of the paroled prisoners on shore 
at Cherbourg that Captain Semmes fired rapidly at 
the commencement of the action " in order to frighten 
the Yankees," nearly all the oflicers and crew being, 
as he was well aware, merely volunteers from the 
merchant service. At the expiration of twenty min- 
ntes after the Kearsarge discharged the first broadside, 
continuing the battle in a leisurely, cool manner, 
Semmes remarked : " Confound them ; they've been 
fighting twenty minutes, and they're as cool as posts." 
The probabilities are that the crew of the Federal 
vessel had learnt not to regard as dangerous the rapid 
and hap-hazard practice of the Alabama. 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 25 

From the time of her first reaching Cherbourg" until 
she finally quitted the port, the Kearsarge never re- 
ceived the slightest assistance from shore, with the 
exception of that rendered by a boilermaker in patch- 
ing up her funnel. Every other repair was completed 
by her own hands, and she might have crossed the 
Atlantic immediately after the action without diih- 
culty. So much for Mr. Lancaster's statement that 
"the Kearsarge was apparently much disabled." 

SEMMES' DESIGN TO BOARD THE KEARSARGE. 

The first accounts received of the action led us to 
suppose that Captain Semmes' intention was to lay 
his vessel alongside the enemy, and to carry her by 
boarding. Whether this information came from the 
Captain himself or was made out of " whole-cloth" by 
some of his admirers, the idea of boarding a vessel 
under steam — unless her engines, or screw, or rudder 
be disabled — is manifestly ridiculous. The days of 
boarding are gone by, except under the contingencies 
above stated ; and any such attempt on the part of the 
Alabama would have been attended with disastrous 
results to herself and crew. To have boarded the 
Kearsarge, Semmes must have possessed greater speed 
to enable him to run alongside her; and the moment 
the pursuer came near her victim, the latter would 
shut off steam, drop astern in a second of time, sheer 
off, discharge her whole broadside of grape and 
canister, and rake her antagonist from stern to stem. 
Our pro-southern sympathisers really ought not to 
make their protege appear ridiculous by ascribing to 
him such an egregious intention. 



26 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

I^ATIOXALITY OF THE CREW OF THE 
KEAKSARGE. 

It lias frequently been asserted that the major por- 
tion of the Northern armies is composed of foreigners, 
and the same statement is made in reference to the 
crews of the American navy. The report got abroad 
in Cherbourg that the victory of the Kearsarge was 
due to her having taken on board a number of French 
gunners at Brest ; and an admiral of the French navy 
asked me in perfectly good faith whether it were not 
the fact. It will not therefore be out of place to give 
the names and nationalities of the officers and crew 
on board the Kearsarge during her action with the 
Alabama : 

OFFICERS OF THE U. S. S. KEARSARGE, June 19, 1SC4. 

Xames. li'rink. Kutivc "/. 

John A. Winslow Captain North Cai-olina.* 

James S. Thornton Lieutenant Commander. ...New Hampshire. 

John M. Browne Surgeon " 

J. Ailanis Smith Paymaster Maine. 

Wm. H. Cuslnnan Chief Engineer Peinisylvania. 

James li. Wheeler Acting Master ]\Iassacliusetts. 

Eben. M. Stoddavd " " Connecticut. 

David II. Sumner " " Elaine. 

Wm. H. Badlani Second Assis't Engineer... Massachusetts. 

Fred. L. Miller.... Third " " ... " 

Sidney L. Smith " " " ... " 

Henry McConnell " " " ...Pennsylvania. 

Edward E. Preble Midsliipnian ]Maine. 

Daniel B. Sargent Paymaster's Clerk " 

S. E. llartwell Captain's Clerk :Massachusetts. 

Franklin A. Graham Guinier Pennsylvania. 



* Captain Winslow has long been a citizen of the State of Massa- 
chusetts. 



The Alabama and the Kcarsarge. 27 

Names. Rank. Native of. 

James C. Walton Boatswain Pennsylvania. 

Wm. H. Yeaton Acting Master's Mate United States. 

Chas. H. Danforth " " " Massacliusetts. 

EzraBartlett " " " New Hampshire. 

George A. Tittle Sin-geon's Steward United States. 

CarstenB. De Witt Yeoman " 



CREW OF U. S. S. KEARSARGE, June 19, 1864. 

Names. Rank. Native of. 

Jason N. Watrus Master-at-arms.. United States. 

Charles Jones Seaman " 

Daniel Charter Landsman " 

Edward Williams Officer's Steward " 

George Williams Landsman " 

Charles Bntts Qnartermaster " 

Charles Redding Landsman " 

James Wilson Coxswain " 

William Gowen (died) Ordinary seaman " 

James Saunders Quartermaster " 

J ohn W. Dempsey Quarter-gunner " 

William D. Chapel Landsman " 

Thomas Perry Boatswain's mate " 

John Barrow Ordinary seaman " 

William Bond Boatswain's mate " 

James Haley. Captain of Fo' castle (?) 

Robert Strahn Captain Top " 

James O. Stone First class boy " 

Jacob Barth Landsman " 

John H. McCarthey " 

James F. Hayes " " 

John Hayes Coxswain " 

James Devine Landsman " 

George H. Russell Armorer " 

Patrick McKeever Landsman " 

Nathan Ives " " 

Dennis McCarty " " 

John Boyle Ordinary seaman " 

John C. AVoodberry " " " 

George E. Read Seaman.. " 

James Morey Ordinary seaman " 

Benedict Drury Seaman " 

William Giles " 

Timothy Hurley Ship's cook " 



28 Tlie Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

Karnes. Rank. Native nf. 

Michael Convoy Ordinary seaman United States. 

Levi W. Nye Seaman " 

James n. Lee " 

John E. Brady Ordinary seaman " 

Andrew J. Rowley Quarter-gnnner " 

James Bradley Seaman " 

William Ellis Captain hold '■'■ 

Henry Cook Captain After-gnard " 

Charles A. Kead Seaman " 

William S. Morgan " " 

Joshna E. Carey Sailmaker's mate " 

James Magee Ordinary seaman " 

Benjamin S. Davis Officer's cook " 

John F. Bickford Coxswain " 

AVilliam Gurney Seaman " 

William Smith Quartermaster " 

Lawrence T. Crowley Ordinary seaman " 

Hugh McPherson Gunner's mate " 

Taran Phillips Ordinary seaman •' 

Joachim Pease Seaman " 

Benjamin H. Blaisdell First Class Fireman " 

Joel B. Blaisdell " " " " 

Charles Fisher Officer's cook " 

James Henson Landsman " 

William M. Smith " " 

William Fisher " " 

GeorgcBailey " " 

Martin Hoyt " " 

Mark G. Ham Carpenter's mate " 

William H. Bastine Landsman " 

Lcjnnan P. Si)inney Coal-heavor " 

George E. Smart Second Class Fireman " 

Charles A. Poole Coal-heaver " 

Timothy Lynch " " 

Will. H. Donnally First Class Fireman " 

Sylvanns P. Brackctt Coal-heaver '■ 

John W.Sanborn " 

Adoniram Littlefield " " 

John W.Young " " 

Will. Wainwright " " 

John E. Ordion Second Class Fireman " 

George W. Rem ick First " " " 

Joel L. Sanborn " " " " 

Jere. Young " " " " 

William Smith " " " " 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 29 

Names. Hank. Native of. 

Stephen Smith Second Class Fh-eman United States. 

John F. Stackpole " 

William Stanley " " " " 

Lyman H. Hartford " 

True W. Priest First " " " 

Joseph Dugan " 

John F. Dugan Coal-heaver " 

James W. Sheffield Second Class Fireman " 

Charles T. Young Orderly Sergeant " 

Austin Quimley Corporal of Marines " 

Roscoe G. Dolley Private " " 

Patrick Flood " " 

Henry Hobson Corporal " " 

James Kerrigan Private " " 

John McAleen " " 

George A. llaymond " " 

James Tucker " " 

Isaac Thornton " " " 

William Y. Evans Nurse " 

William B. Poole Quartermaster " 

F. J. Veannoh Captain Afterguard " 

Charles Hill Landsman " 

Henry Jameson First Class Fireman " 

John G. Batchelder Private of Marines " 

John Dwyer First Class Fireman " 

Thomas Salmon Second" " " 

Patrick O' Conner " " " " 

George H. Harrison Ordinary seaman " 

George Andrew " " 

Charles Moore Seaman " 

George A. Whipple Ordinary seaman " 

Edward Wallace Seaman " 

Thomas Marsh Coal-heaver " 

Thomas Buckley Ordinary seaman " 

Edward Wilt Captain Top 

George H. Kinne Ordinary seaman " 

Augustus Johnson Seaman " 

Jeremiah Horrigan " 

William O'Halloran " " 

William Turner " " 

Joshua Collins Ordinary seaman " 

James McBeath " " " 

John Pope Coal-heaver " 

Charles Mattison Ordinary seaman " 

George Baker Seaman " 



30 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

Nmnes. Rank. Native of. 

Timothy G. Cauty Seaman United States. 

John Shields " " 

Thomas A^oway " " 

PhiUipWeeks " 

William Barnes Landsman " 

William Alsdorf " Holland. 

Clement Antoine Coal-heaver Western Islands. 

Jose Dabney Landsman " 

Benjamin Bntton Coal-heaver Malay. 

Jean Briset " France. 

Vanburn Francois Landsman Holland. 

Peter Ludy Seaman " 

George En<-lish " England. 

Jonathan Brien Landsman " 

Mannel J. Gallardo Second Class Boy Spain. 

John M. Sonins First " " Holland. 

It thus appears that out of one hundred and sixty- 
three (168) officers aud crew of the slooiD-of-war 
Kearsarge, there are only eleven (11) persons foreign 
born. 

The following is the Surgeon's Report of casualties 
amonijst the crew of the Kearsar^fe during the action : 



"U. S. S. S. Kearsarge, 

"Chkrbourg, France, 

''Afternoon, June \Wi, 1864. 



Sir : — I report the following casualties resulting 
11 the ei 
Alabama.' 



from the engagement this morning with the steamer 



"John W. Dempsey, Quarter-gunner. Compound 
comminuted fracture of right arm, lower third, and 
fore-arm. Arm amputated. 

" Wn.LiAM GowEN, Ordinary seaman. Compound 
fracture of left thigh and leg. Seriously wounded. 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 31^ 

"James McBeath, Ordinary seaman. Componncl 
fracture of left leg. Severely wounded. 
" I am, very respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

"JOHN M. BROWNE, 

"Surgeon U. S. Navy. 

"Captain John A. Winslow, 

"Comd'g U. S. S S. Kearsarge, 

^^ Cherbourg,'''' 

All these men were wounded by the same shot, a 
sixty-eight-pounder, which passed through the star- 
board bulwarks below main-rigging, narrowly escaping 
the after eleven-inch pivot-gun. The fuses employed 
by the Alabama were villanously bad, several shell 
having lodged in the Kearsarge without taking effect. 
Had the seven-inch rifle shot exploded which entered 
the vessel at the starboard quarter, raising the deck 
by its concussion several inches and lodging in the 
rudder-post, the action might have lasted some time 
longer. It would not, however, have altered the 
result, for the casualty occurred towards the close of 
the conflict. During my visit, I witnessed the opera- 
tion of cutting out a thirty-two-pounder shell (time 
fuse) from the rail close forward of the fore pivot 
eleven-inch port; the officer in charge of the piece 
informed me that the concussion actually raised the 
gun and carriage ; and, had it exploded, many of the 
crew would have been injured by the fragments and 
splinters. 

Among the incidents of the fight, some of our 
papers relate that an eleven-inch shell from the Kear- 
sarge fell upon the deck of the Alabama, and was 



32 The Alabama and the Kearsargc. 

immediately taken np and thrown overboard. Prob- 
ably no fight ever occurred in modern times in which 
somebody didn't pick up a live shell and throw it 
out of harm's way ; but we may be permitted to doubt 
in this case. Five-second fuses take effect somewhat 
rapidly ; the shot weighs considerably more than a 
hundred- weight, and is uncomfortably difficult to lay 
hold of. Worse than all for the probabilities of the 
story, fifteen pounds of powder — never more nor less 
— were used to every shot fired from the eleven-inch 
pivots, the Kearsarge only opening fire from them 
when within eight hundred yards of the Alabama. 
With fifteen pounds of powder and fifteen degrees of 
elevation, I have myself seen these eleven-inch Dahl- 
grens throw three and a half miles; and yet we are 
asked to credit that, with the same charge at less than 
half a mile, one of the shells fell upon the deck of the 
Privateer. There are eleven marines in the crew of 
the Kearsarge ; probably the story was made for them. 

THE REPORTED FIRING UPOi^ THE ALABAjSIA 
AFTER HER SURREJS'DER. 

Captain Semmes makes the following statement in 
his official report : 

"Although we were now but foxu- hundred yards from eacli otlicr, 
the enemy fired upon me five times after my colors had been struck. 
It is charitable to suppose that a ship of war of a Christian nation 
could not liave done this intentionally." 

A Aery nice appeal after the massacre of Fort 
Pillow, especially wlien coming from a man who has 
spent the previous two years of liis life in destroying 
unresisting merchantmen ! 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 33 

The Captain of the Kearsarge was never aware of 
the Alabama having struck until a boat put off from 
her to his own vessel. Prisoners subsequently stated 
that she had fired a lee-gun, but the fact was not 
know^n on board the Federal ship, nor that the colors 
were hauled down in token of surrender. A single 
fact will prove the humanity with which Captain 
Winslow conducted the fight. At the close of the 
action, his deck was found to be literally covered with 
grape and canister, ready for close quarters ; but he 
had never used a single charge of all this during the 
contest, although within capital range for employing it. 

THE FEELING AFTER THE BATTLE. 

The womided of the two vessels were transferred 
shortly after the action to the Naval Hospital at 
Cherbourg. 1 paid a visit to that establishment on the 
Sunday following the engagement, and found the 
sufferers lying in comfortable beds alongside each 
other in a long and admirably ventilated ward on 
the first floor. Poor Gowen, who died the following 
Tuesday, was in great pain, and already had the seal 
of death upon his face. James McBeath, a young- 
fellow of apparently twenty years, with a compound 
fracture of the leg, chatted with much animation; 
while Dempsey, the stump of his right arm laid on 
the pillow, was comfortably smoking a cigar, and 
laughing and talking with one of the Alabama crew, 
in the bed alongside him. The wounded men of the 
sunken Privateer were unmistakably English in 
physiognomy, and I failed to discover any who were 
not countrymen of ours. I conversed with all of 



34 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

them, stating at the outset that I was an Enghshman 
Hke themselves, and the information seemed to open 
their hearts to me. They represented themselves as 
very comfortable at the hospital, that every thing they 
asked for was given to them, and that they were sur- 
prised at the kindness of the Kearsarge men who 
came to visit the establishment, when the}' were 
assured by their own officers before the action that 
foul treatment would only be shown them in the 
event of their capture. Condoling with one poor 
fellow who had his leg carried away by a shell, he 
remarked to me, "Ah, it serves me right ; they won't 
catch me fighting again without knowing what I'm 
fighting for." " That's me too," said another poor 
Englishman alongside him. 

The paroled prisoners (four ofiicers) on shore at 
Cherbourg evinced no hostility whatever to their 
captors, but were always on the friendliest of terms 
with them. All alike frequented the same hotel in 
the town, (curiously enough — " The Eagle,") played 
billiards at the same cafe, and bought their pipes, 
cigars, and tobacco from the same pretty little brunette 
on the Quai du Port. 

The following are the names of the officers and 
crew of the Alabama, saved by the Kearsarge : 

Francis L. Gait, of Virginia Assistant Siirf,^con. 

Joseph Wilson Third Lieutenant. 

Miles J. Freeman Engineer, Englishman. 

John W. Pundt Third Assistant Engineer. 

Benjamin L. McCaskey Boatswain. 

William Forrestall Quartermaster, Englishman. 

Thomas Potter Fireman, Englishman. 

Samuel Williams Fireman, Welshman. 

Patrick Bradley Fireman, Englishman. 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 35 

John Orrigin Fireman, Irishman. 

George Freemantle Seaman, Englishman. 

Edgar Tripp Seaman, Englishman. 

.John Neil Seaman, Englishman. 

Thomas Winter Fireman, Englishman. 

Martin King Seaman. 

.Joseph Pearson Seaman, Englishman. 

.James Hicks Caijtain hold. Englishman . 

R. Parkinson Wardroom steward, Englishman. 

John Emory Seaman, Englishman. 

Thomas L. Parker Boy, Englishman. 

Peter Hnghes Captain Top, Englishman. 

(All the above belonged to the Alabama when she 
first sailed from the Mersey, and John Neil, John 
Emory, and Peter Hnghes belong to the "Royal 
Naval Reserve.") 

William Clark Seaman. 

David Leggett " 

Samuel Henry " 

John Russell " ' 

John Smith " 

Henry McCoy " 

Edward Bussell " 

James Ochure " 

John Casen " 

Henry Higgin " 

Frank Hammond '* 

Michael Shields " 

David Thurston " 

George Peasey " 

Henry Yates " 

Henry Godsen Ordinary seaman. 

David Williams 

Henry Hestlake 

Thomas Watson 

John Johnson 

Match Maddock 

Richard Evans 

William Miller 

George Cousey 

Thomas Brandon 

William McKenzie Coxswaii 



36 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

•Tames Brodeiick Coxswain, 

William Wilson " 

Edward Rawes Master-at-arms. 

Henry Tucker Officers' cook. 

William Barnes Quarter-gunner. 

Jacob Verbor Seaman, wounded. 

Robert Wright Captain Main Top, wounded. 

William McGuire Captain Fore Top, wounded. 

William McGinley Coxswain, wounded. 

John Benson Coal-heaver. 

James McGuire " 

Frank Currian Fireman, 

Peter Laperty " 

John Riley 

Nicholas Adams Landsman. 

James Clemens Yeoman. 

James Wilson Boy. 

These men, almost without exception, are subjects 
of Her Majesty, the Queen. There were also three 
others, who died in the boats, names not known. 

The following are those reported to liave been 
killed or drowned: 

David Herbert Llewellyn Surgeon, Welshman. 

William Robinson Carpenter. 

James King Master-at-arms, Savannah Pilot. 

Peter Duncan Fireman, Englishman. 

Andrew Sliillings Scotchman. 

Charles Puist Coal-passer, German. 

Frederick Johns Purser' s Steward, Englishman. 

Sanuiol Henry.. Seaman, Englishman. 

John Roberts Seaman, Welshman. 

Peter Henry Seaman, Irishman. 

George Appleby Yeoman, Englishman. 

A. G. Bartelli Seaman, Portuguese. 

Henry Fisher Seaman, Englishman. 

The above all belonged to the original crew of the 
Alabainn. 

The Deerhound carried off, according to her own 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 37 

account, forty-one; the names of the following are 
known : 



Raphael Semmes Captain. 

John M. Kell Fh-st Lieutenant. 

Arthur Sinclair, Jr. ' Second Lieutenant. 

R. K. Howell Lieutenant of Marines. 

(This person is brother-in-law of Mr. Jefierson Davis.) 

"W. H. Sinclair Midshipman. 

J. S. Bullock Acting Master. 

E. A. Maffit Midshipman. 

E. M. Anderson Midshipman. 

M. O'Brien Third Assistant Surgeon. 

George T. Fullam Master's Mate, Englishman. 

James Evans Master's Mate. 

MaxMeulnier Master's Mate. 

J. Schrader Master's Mate. 

W. B. Smith Captain's Clerk. 

J. O. Cuddy Gunner. 

J. G. Dent Quartennaster. 

James McFadgen Fireman, Englishman. 

Orran Dufty Fireman, Irishman. 

W. Crawford Englishman. 

Brent Johnson Second Boat. Mate, Englishman. 

William Nevins Englishman. 

William Hearn Seaman, Englishman. 

The last four belong to the "Royal Naval Reserve." 



MOYEME^^TS OF THE ENGLISH YACHT DEER- 

HOUIs^D. 

That an Enghsh yacht, one belonging to the Eoyal 
Yacht Squadron, and flying the White Ensign, too, 
during the conflict, shoidd have assisted the Con- 
federate prisoners to escape, after they had formally 
surrendered themselves, according to their own state- 
ment, by flring a lee-gun, striking their colors, hoisting 
a white flag, and sending a boat to the Kearsarge — 
some of which signals must have been witnessed from 
the deck of the Deerhound — is most humiliating to the 



38 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

national honor. The movements of the yacht early 
on Sunday morning were, as before shown, most 
suspicious; and had Captain Winslow followed the 
advice and reiterated requests of his officers when she 
steamed off, the Deerhound might now have been 
Iving not far distant from the Alabama. Captain 
Winslow, however, could not believe that a gentleman 
Avho was asked by himself " to save life" would use 
the opportunity to decamp with the officers and men 
who, according to their own act, were prisoners-of-war. 
There is high presumptive evidence that the Deer- 
hound was at Cherbourg for the express purpose of 
rendering every assistance possible to the Corsair; 
and we may be permitted to doubt whether Mr. Lan- 
caster, the friend of Mr. Laird, and a member of the 
Mersey Yacht Club, would have carried Captain 
AVinslow and his officers to Southampton if the 
result of the struggle had been reversed, and the 
Alabama had sent the Kearsarge to the bottom. 

The Deerhound reached Cherbourg on the 17th of 
June, and between that time and the night of the 
18th, boats were observed from the shore passing 
frequently between her and the Alabama. It is 
reported that English gunners came over from Eng- 
land purposely to assist the Privateer in the fight ; 
this I heard before leaving London, and the assertion 
was repeated to me again at Havre, Honfleur, Cher- 
bourg, and Paris. If this be the fact, how did the 
men reach Cherbourg] On the 14th of June, Captain 
Semmes sends his challenge to tlie Kearsarge through 
Monsieur Bonfils, stating it to be his intention to 
fight her "as soon as I can make the necessary 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 39 

arrangements." Two full days elapse, during which 
he takes on board one hundred and fifty tons addi- 
tional of coal, and places for security in the Custom- 
house the following valuables : 

38 kilo. 700 gr. Gold coin. 

G g-r. of Jewelry and set Diamonds. 
2 Gold Watches. 

What, then, became of the pillage of a hundred 
merchantmen, the chronometers, &c., which the Times 
describes as the " spolia opima of a whole mercantile 
fleet ?" Those could not be landed on French soil, 
and were not : did they go to the bottom with the 
ship herself, or are they saved % 

Captain Semmes' preparations are apparently com- 
pleted on the 16th, but still lingers behind the famous 
breakwater, much to the surprise of his men. The 
Deerhound arrives at length, and the preparations are 
rapidly completed. How unfortunate that Mr. Lan- 
caster did not favor the Times with a copy of his log- 
book from the 12th to the 19th June, inclusive! 

The record of the Deerhound is suggestive on the 
morning of that memorable Sunday. She steams out 
from behind the Cherbourg breakwater at an early 
hour — scouts hither and thither, apparently purpose- 
less — runs back to her anchorage — precedes the 
Alabama to sea — is the solitary and close spectator 
of the fight whilst the Couronne has the delicacy to 
return to port, and finally — having picked up Semmes, 
thirteen of his officers and a few of his men — steams 
off at fullest speed to Southampton, leaving the 
'' apj)are7idi/ much-cUsablecV Kearsarge (Mr. Lancas- 



40 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

tor's own words) to save two-thirds of the Alabama's 
drowning crew, struggHng in the water. 

An English gentleman's yacht playing tender to a 
corsair ! No one will OA'er believe that Deerliound to 
be thorough-bred. 



COis^CLUSIOK 

Snch are the facts relating to the memorable action 
off Cherbourg, on the 19th of June, 1864. The 
Alabama went down riddled through and through 
with shot ; and, as she sank beneatli the green waves 
of the Channel, not a single cheer arose from the 
victors. The order was given, " Silence, boys" — and, 
in perfect silence, this terror of American commerce 
plunged to her last resting-place. 

There is but one key to the victory. The two ves- 
sels were, as nearly as possible, equals in size, speed, 
armament and crew, and the contest was decided by 
the superiority of the eleven-inch Dahlgren guns of 
the Kearsarge, over the Blakely rifle and the vaunted 
sixty-eight-pounder of the Alabama, in conjunction 
with tlie greater coolness and surer aim of the former's 
crew. The Kearsarge was not, as represented, specially 
armed and manned for destroying her foe ; but is in 
every respect similar to all the vessels of her class 
(third-rate) in the United States Navy. ^Moreover, 
the large majority of her officers are from the mer- 
chant service. 

The French at Cherbourg were by no means dila- 
tory in recognizing the value of these Dahlgren guns. 
Officers of all grades, naval and military alike, crowded 
the vessel during her stay at their port ; and they 



The Alabama and the Kcarsarge. 41 

were all eyes for the massive pivots and for nothing 
else. Guns, carriages, even rammers and sponges, 
were carefolly measured; and, if the pieces can be 
made in France, many months will not elapse before 
their muzzles will be grinning through the port-holes 
of French ships-of-war. 

AVe have no such gun in Europe as this eleven- 
inch Dahlgren, but it is considered behind the age in 
America. The sixty-eight-pounder is regarded by us 
as a heavy piece ; in the United States it is the mini- 
mum for large vessels ; whilst some ships, the " New 
Ironsides," " Niagara," " Vanderbilt," &c., carry the 
eleven-inch in broadside. It is considered far too 
light, however, for the sea-going ironclads, although 
throwing a solid shot of one hundred and sixty pounds ; 
yet it has made a wonderful stir on both sides of the 
Channel. What, then, will be thought of the eleven- 
inch gun, throwing a shot of four hundred and eighty 
pounds, or of the two hundred-pound Parrot, with its 
range of five miles X 

We are arming our ironclads with nine-inch smooth- 
bores and one hundred-pounder rifles, whilst the 
Americans are constructing their armor-ships to re- 
sist the impact of eleven and fifteen-inch shot. By 
next June, the United States will have in commission 
the following ironclads : 

Dunderberg 5,090 tons. 10 guns. 

Dictator 3,033 " 'Z " 

Kalamazoo 8,200 " 4 " 

Passaconaway 3,200 " 4 " 

Puritan 3,265 " 4 " 

Quinsigamond 3,200 " 4 " 

Eoanoke 3,435 " 6 " 

Shakamaxon 3,200 " 4 " 



42 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

Tlicsp, too, without counting six others of " second 
class," all alike armed with the tremendous fifteen- 
inch, and built to cross the Atlantic in any season. 
But it is not in ironclads alone that America is 
proving her energy; first, second, and third-rates, 
wooden built, are issuing constantly from trans- 
Atlantic yards, and the Navy of the United States 
now numbers no less than six hundred vessels and 
upwards, seventy-three of which were ironclads. 

This is indeed an immense fleet for one nation, but 
wc may, at all events, rejoice that it will bo used to 
defend — in the words of the wisest and noblest of 
English statesmen — " the democratic principle ; or, if 
that term is ofi'ensive, popular sovereignty." 



OFFICIAL REPORTS. 



THE DEERHOUJS^D. 

United States Steamer Kearsarge, 
Cherbourg^ June 21, 1864, 

Sir : I have the honor to report that toward the close of 
the action between the Alabama and this vessel, all avail- 
able sail was made on the former, for the purpose of again 
reaching Cherbourg. When the object was apparent, the 
Kearsaro-e was steered across the bow of the Alabama for 
a raking fire, but before reaching this point the Alabama 
struck. Uncertain whether Captain Semmes was not 
using some ruse, the Kearsarge was stopped. It was seen 
shortly afterward that the Alabama was lowering her 
boats ; and an officer came alongside in one of them to 
say that they had surrendered, and were fast sinking, and 
begging that boats would be 'despatched immediately for 
savine- of life. The two boats not disabled were at once 
lowered, and as it was apparent the Alabama was settling, 
this ofiicer w^as permitted to leave in his boat to aftbrd 
assistance. An English yacht, the Deerhound, had ap- 
proached near the Kearsarge at this time, when I hailed, 
and begged the commander to run down to the Alabama, 
as she was fast sinking, and we had but two boats, and 
assist in picking up the men. He answered afiirmatively, 
and steamed toward the Alabama, but the latter sunk 
almost immediately. The Deerhound, however, sent her 
boats, and was most actively engaged, aided hj several 
others which had come from shore. These boats were 



44 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

luisy in bringing the wounded and otliers to tlie Kearsarge, 
whom we were trying to make as comfortable as possible, 
wlien it was reported to me that the Deerhound was 
moving oft". I could not believe that the commander of 
that vessel could be guilty of so disgraceful an act as 
taking our prisoners off, and therefore took no means to 
prevent it, but continued to keep our boats at work rescu- 
ing the men in the water. I am sorry to say that I was 
mistaken. The Deerhound made olf with Captain Semmes 
and otliers, and also the very otHcer who had come on 
board to surrender. I learned subsequently that the 
Deerhound was a consort of the Alabama, and that she 
received on board all the valuable personal effects of 
Captain Semmes the night before the engagement. 
^ I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JOII>^ A. WINSLOW, 

Captain. 

Hon. Gideon AVelles, 

Secretary of the Navy, 'Washiugton. 



THE ALABAMA'S WOUNDED. 

United States Steamer Kearsarge, 
Cherbourg^ June 21, 1864. 

Sir : I have the honor to report that the number of 
pi-isoners brought on board the Kearsarge belonging to 
the Alabama was sevent}^ — six ofiieers and sixty-four 
men. One officer (carpenter) and two men dying, and 
seventeen wounded, are included in this number. As 
we have very contracted accommodations for our own 
crew, without increase, it became indispensable to send 
these prisoners on shore, and their parole was taken. 
With the exception of the doctor, (non-combatant, who 
was put on parole that he might attend to his wounded,) 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 45 

the officers were held as prisoners of war. I learu tliat 
three officers, with six men, were carried on shore at 
Cherhonrg by pilot boats, bnt of the nnmber who reached 
England in the Deerhound I have no trustworthy accounts. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully. 
Your obedient servant, 

JOHiT A. Wlis^SLOW, 

Captaiu. 

Hon. Gideon Welles, 

Secretary of the iN^avy, 



DAMAGE TO THE KEARSARGE. 

United States Steamer Kearsarge, 

Cherbourg^ June 21, 1864. 

Sir : I have the honor to enclose herewith reports of 
the executive officer, chief engineer, boatswain, and gunner 
of this vessel, with copy of log-book containing minntes 
of the action. 

I fnlly coincide in the recommendations of the executive 
officer, and such cases as deserve special reference to, will 
be subject to future commnnication. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully. 
Your obedient servant, 

JOH^T ^, wmSLOW, 

Captain. 

Hon. Gideon Welles. 

Secretary of the Navy. 

United States Steamer Kearsarge, 
Cherbourg^ June 21, 1864. 

Sir : I have the honor to forward to you the reports of 
the damage sustained in the different departments of this 
vessel during the recent action with the Alabama. 

In connection with this engagement, I take great 
pleasure in informing you officially that the conduct of 



46 The Alabama and the Kcarsarge. 

both men and officers equalled, in every respect, my most 
sanguine expectations. 

In tlie gun division the utmost coolness prevailed 
throughout the action, the details of the manual of 
exercise being as carefully attended to as if in ordinary 
exercise ; and to this cause may be attributed the excel- 
lejit condition of the guns and gear after a rapid firing of 
an hour's duration. 

The powder division received my particular attention, 
and its important service was promptly* and thoroughly 
rendered. 

The circumstances under which the battle was fought 
aftbrded no opportunity of displaying special acts of indi- 
vidual heroism ; but, while every man and boy in the 
ship displayed the utmost coolness, zeal, and courage, 
there were some who, by their position and peculiar 
duties, attracted special attention, and deserve special 
mention. 

The marines fought the rifle gun upon the topgallant 
forecastle, under the charge of Acting Master's Mate 
Charles 11. Danforth. 

The action on our part was commenced by this gun, 
and its fire was rapid and effective throughout. 

The high reputation of the service was nobly sustained 
by the marine guard of this ship. The boatswain, James 
C. '^A^'alton, was observedly active and efficient. Gunner 
F. A. Graham's duties were all performed efficiently, and 
merit commendation. The carpenter's mate, Mark G. 
Ham, is well known to you, sir, as a faithful and compe- 
tent man. His conduct in the battle was distinguished 
by the cool and intelligent performance of his duties. It 
is unnecessary for me to call your attention to the officers 
commanding the gun or master's division, as their duty 
was performed under your own eye. 

I am hai)py to commend Acting Master's Mate Ezra 
Bartlett, in charge of the sliell supply, for his coolness and 
efficiency. 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 47 

111 the Surgeon's departinent every arrangement that 
experience or humanity could suggest was made for the 
comfort of the wounded. Fortunately, we have but three 
of our own crew in that condition, but, after the action, 
the wounded of the enemy, numbering fifteen persons, 
were consigned to the care of Surgeon J. M. Browne, who 
was entirely without professional assistance. The duties 
of his department were thereby rendered extremely ardu- 
ous, but were coolly and successfully performed. 

^Villiam Gowen (0. S.) was severely wounded by the 
explosion of a shell. He dragged himself to the forward 
hatch, refusing to allow the men to leave his gun for the 
purpose of assisting him. His cheerful willingness to 
sacrifice his life for victory's sake Avas expressed in terms 
that animated and encouraged others. 

John W. Dempsey, quarter-gunner, wounded at the 
same time, losing an arm, displayed similar heroism. 

James McBeth, ordinary seaman, another of the wounded 
men, displayed both courage and patience. 

All the men on the sick list went to their quarters, and 
rendered such service as they were able to perform. 

The engineer's division was admirably and etficiently 
conducted, under the command of Chief Engineer W. H. 
Cushman. 

Sidney L. Smith and Henry McConnell (Third Assistant 
Engineers) were stationed on deck, and their conduct 
came immediately under my observation. It was distin- 
guished by coolness and vigilance. The other assistants, 
Mr. W. H. Badlam and Mr. F. L. Miller, were on duty in 
the engine and fire-room, and, judging from the prompt 
manner in which the orders from the deck were executed, 
I know that their duties were creditably performed. 

The ship is indebted to Paymaster J. A. Smith for 
efficient service during the action. His clerk, Mr. D, B. 
Sargent, performed his duty on deck in the third division. 
The Orderly Sergeant, T. C. Young, and the Master-at- 
arms, Jason R. Watrous, deserve special mention for 



48 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

admirable performance of their duty. I will hand to yon 
the names of those men specially mentioned hy the division 
officer as soon as I receive them. 

In conckision, sir, let me congratulate you on the success 
of your plan of battle, and compliment you on the skill 
and judgment displayed in its execution. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JAMES s. thor:n^tox, 

Lieut. Commauder aud Executive Officer. 

John A. Winslow, 

Captain Commanding United States Steamer Kearsarge. 

Approved and forwarded. 

JOHN A. WmSLOW, 

Captain. 



THE CHIEF ENGIIN^EER'S REPORT. 

United States Steamer Kearsarge, 
Cherbourg, June 21, 1864. 

Sir : I respectfully report that the ord}- injury received 
in the engine department during our engagement with 
the Alabama, on tlie 19tli inst., was to the smoke-pipe, 
which was perforated through both sections by a hundred- 
pound rifle shell, which exploded as it was coming through, 
tearing out a ragged hole of about three feet in diameter, 
carrying away three of the chain guys, and to the top of 
the engine-room hatch, which was cut comjiletely through 
and across l)y a shell. 

I would further report that all the assistant engineers, 
and the firemen and coal-heavers, behaved with perfect 
coolness, aud were attentive to their duty through the 
action ; and that by the self-possession and attention of 
Second Assistant Engineer William II. Badlam, in the 
management of the engines ; Third Assistant Engineer 



The Alabama and the Kcarsarge. 49 

Fred. L. jSIiller, in cliarge of tlie boilers ; Third Assistant 
Engineer Sidney L. Smith, on deck, at the fire and hot- 
water hose, and Third Assistant Engineer Henry McCon- 
nell, at the engine signal-bell, the efficiency of the engine 
department is to be attributed. I would also mention 
first-class Fireman Joseph Dugan for his coolness and com- 
petency in assisting Mr. Miller in fire-room ; first-class 
Firemen Jerry Young, William Smith, Benjamin H. Blais- 
dell, William H. Donnelly, in assisting Mr. Badlani in 
charge of the engines ; and first-class Fireman True W; 
Priest, for quickness and attention in charge of the after- 
fire liose, during the alarm of fire in the action. 
Very respectfully, 

WM. II. ousiima:^', 

Chief Engineer U. 8. N. 

John A. Winslow, 

Caplaiii \S. S. N., CommauJiug. 

Forwarded. JOHiT A. WmSLOW, 

Captalu. 



THE GUNi^ER'S REPORT. 

United States Steamer Kearsarge, 

Cherbourg^ June 21, 1864. 

Sir : I respectfully submit the following report of the 

expenditure of ordnance stores on board this ship, during 

the engagement with the rebel steamer Alabama, on the 

19th instant : 

Fifty-five fifteen-pound service charges, fifty-five eleven- 
inch five-second shell, sixty six-pound service charges, 
eighteen thirty-two-pounder five-second shell, forty-two 
thirty-two-pound solid shot, forty-eight two-and-a-half- 
pound service charges rifle, forty-eight rifle-percussion 

4 



50 The Alahama and the Kearsarge. 

sliell, one hundred friction primers, two Inindred and forty 
percussion primers. 

Fixed ammunition for boat-liowitzer — nine schrapnel, 
Bormann fused, one canister. 



RECAPITULATION. 

Duration of action, 65 minutes. 

Xumber of rounds, 11 inch 55 

Number of rounds, 32-pounder 60 

Number of rounds, 30-pound rifle 48 

Number of rounds, 12-pound howitzer 10 

Total 173 

Very respectfully, 

FRANKLIN A. GRAHAM, 

Gunner United States Steamer Kearsarge. 

To James Thornton, 

Lieuteaant Commander and Executive Oflicer. 



EXTRACT FROM LOG-BOOK. 

[Moderate breeze from the windward, weather b. c. At 
10 inspected crow at quarters. At 10.20 discovered the 
Alabama steaming out from the port of Cherl)Ourg, 
accompanied by a French iron-clad and a steamer showing 
the wdiite English ensign and a yacht iiag. Beat to 
general quarters and cleared the ship for action; steamed 
ahead, standing offshore at 10.50, being distant from the 
land about two leagues ; altered our course and ajiproached 
the Alabama. At 10.57 the Alabama commenced the 
action with her starboard broadside at one thousand yards 
range. At 11 we returned her fire, and came fairly into 
action, which we continued until meridian, when, observing 
signs of distress in the enemy, together with a cessation of 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 51 

her fire, our fire was withlielcl. At 12.10 a boat witli an 
oflicer from the Alabama came alongside and surrendered 
his vessel, with the information that she was rapidly 
sinking, and a request for assistance. Sent the launch 
and second cutter, the other boats being disabled bv the 
fire of the 'enemy. 

The English yacht before mentioned, coming within 
hail, was requested by the captain to render assistance in 
saving the lives of the ofiicers and crew of the surrendered 
vessel. 

At 12.24 the Alabama went doAvn in forty fathoms 
water, leaving most of her crew struggling in the water. 
Seventy persons were rescued by the boats. Two pilot- 
boats and the yacht also assisted. One pilot-boat came 
alongside of us, but the other returned to the port. The 
English yacht steamed rapidly away to the northward, 
without reporting the number of our prisoners she had 
picked up. 

Hoisted up our boats and three of the enemy's cutters. 
Repaired the rigging temporarily. Took a French pilot, 
and steamed away for Cherbourg. 

At 3.10 let go the port-anchor in seven fathoms water, 
and veered to thirty fathoms chain. 

Forwarded. 

JOHX A. WINSLOW, 

Captaiu. 



THE KEARSARGE 



From EiiL'Hsli Xewspapei- pulilislied iu noulogue-sur-mcr. 

On Friday moruino- a report circulated tlirongli tlic 
town that a sliip-ot-war was anchored ott' the harbor. At 
tirst it ol)tained but little credence ; but as the truth 
gradually became known, people flocked towards the 
jetty, and at three o'clock — although a sharp and piercing 
wind was blowing — the port presented an animated ap- 
pearance. Telescopes, field-glasses, binocular glasses, opera- 
glasses — even eye-glasses and spectacles! — were all turned 
in the direction of the unknown vessel, for, although the 
name of our mysterious visitor was known to many, the 
mass were ignorant of her cognt)nien. At last "Ivear- 
sarge" became the mot (Vordre^ and was soon repeated from 
mouth to mouth. In the meantime, and during the 
afternoon, the boatmen, eager for gain, were reaidng a 
rich harvest, and their little crafts, filled with living 
cargoes, plied between the harbor and the Federal steamer. 
On board, the utmost civility was shown, and — whatever 
way may tend our sympathies — we frankly admit that 
the politeness of the ofiicers and crew elicited universal 
approbation. The evening had far advanced when the 
crowd had finally dispersed. On Saturday and the fol- 
lowing days the visitors on l>oard were very numerous, 
and the boatmen will doubtless bless the saint who directed 
the Ivearsarge into these waters. 

The Kearsarge, Captain J. A. Winslow, is a screw cor- 
vette of 1040 tons. Built in 1801, at the commencement 
of the present war, which now unhappily rages on the 
American continent, she is fitted up with all the latest 
improvements appertaining to a vessel of war. Pier com- 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 53 

plcment, is about one liundred and fifty officers and men, 
but her present quota far exceeds that number. She 
carries seven guns — four thirtj-two-pounders, one rifled 
twenty-eight, and two one hundred and twenty-pounders, 
(Dahlgrens,) the latter of the most formidable description, 
besides a small brass howitzer. Her speed is about four- 
teen to fifteen knots an hour, and she can get up her 
steam in less than forty minutes. Her number of marines 
is limited to fourteen, in command of a sergeant. Every 
visitor on board must have been struck with the order 
that prevails in every department, the engine-room de- 
serving special mention. We cannot, however, close this 
notice without alluding more particularly to the composi- 
tion of the crew. All nations are represented on the 
Kearsarge, from the Saxon to the Malaga, the Celt to the 
black — all speaking different tongues or dialects — giving 
an idea of the Tower of Eabel, on a diminutive scale. 
Altogether, it would be difficult to find a finer set of men 
— the Yankee element, of course, predominating. 

" She is a fine vessel," was our exclamation on leavino-, 
to which a curious individual, with a certain nervous 
twitch of the mouth, and a slight contraction of the nasal 
organ, exclaimed : " She'll lick creation — she will." 



THE A L A B A :SI A AND S E :M M E S 



VIEWS OF A SCOTTISH EDITOR. 



From the Edinburgh Mercury, June 29. 

The circumstances connected with the sinking of the 
Alabama — circumstances which the commander of the 
Kearsarge, in his sailor-like brusqueness, has shorn of 
much of the ftilse glory imparted to them by the pro- 
Confederate press of this country — are well known to the 
reading public ; so also are the fulsome flatteries and 
overdone compliments paid to Captain Senmies and what 
was described as "his gallant and heroic ere av." The 
Captain has had :i}»plied to him, by certain organs of 
opinion, and even by ofheials in her Majesty's serA'iee and 
pay, terms of the most extravagant praise — " chivalrous," 
"• noble," " heroic," " gallant," &c., being among the num- 
Ijcr — and his crew have shared in the honors thus heaped 
upon him. This to a pirate, who during the past two 
years has burned and sunk hundreds of British and 
other merchant vessels, and destroyed property to the 
value of between £3,000,000 and £4,000,000, and has 
never once attacked or come in the way of a vessel of his 
own calibre except under false colors, and with a lie in 
the mouth of his officials, is rather more than honest and 
brave men are disposed to bear. It amounts to an orna- 
menting and decorating of vice at the expense of virtue; 
it suggests a confoundingof chicanery, deceit, and })lunder, 
of tlic worst description, with true courage and genuine 
spirit and worth ; it giA'es glory to men who, had they 
attempted to do on land what they would have done on 
sea, would have been hunted to death as highwaymen 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 55 

and murderers of the most insufferable kind, and not en- 
titled to live. That we are not using language one whit 
too strong, let those who are disposed to make themselves 
acquainted with all the facts read " The cruise of the 
Alabama, from her departure from Liverpool until her 
arrival at the Cape of Good Hope," a pamphlet just pub- 
lished " by an officer on board" — an officer, one, let us 
sa3^ who is a keen Confederate, who loved and gloried in 
his work, who has the highest admiration of Captain 
Senmies, and who will therefore not be suspected of wit- 
tingly doing him, his crew, or his cause injustice. 

That pamphlet we have read with the utmost loathing 
— loathing that a vile, lying, drunken, debauched and 
frequently mutinous crew, such as that of the Alabama, 
as here described, should excite the sympathy and com- 
mand the regards of a portion of the British people — 
loathing that a scheming, skulking, deceiving and un- 
scrupulous fellow such as Captain Semmes is here shown 
to be — most approvingly, no doubt — should, in a disor- 
dered state of the public mind, be characterized as either 
spirited or brave, not to talk of " chivalrous" or " noble ;" 
and loathing, too, that at a time like the present, when, 
were the conduct pursued by the supporters of the Ala- 
bama adopted by other nations, our whole mercantile 
marine might be swept off" the face of the seas, there 
should be found in Britain men ready to vindicate her 
conduct and the stratagems by which she succeeded in 
almost every instance in capturing her prize. 

The fact is, if we are to believe this pamphlet, every 
one of the hundreds of unprotected merchant vessels cap- 
tured, burned and sunk by Captain Semmes during his 
two years' cruise, was captured by deceit, by hoisting 
false flags, chiefly those of Great Britain, and by telling 
the most atrocious lies ; and in not a single instance, as 
we have already said, did the "heroic" captain attack a 
vessel, large or small, with or without guns, till his hands 
had first entrapped and deceived it by the falsest repre- 



56 The Alahama and the Kearsorge, 

mentations as to liis own cliaractcr and aim. Take a few 
extracts, culled at random, as proof of this: 

Sept. 9.— Captnred bark Alert, of Xew Bedford. En- 
o-ao-ed all day transferrino; stores for ship's use. Set on 
iire harks Ocean Rover and Alert, and schooner Starlight. 
Overlianled and ca])tured schooner AVeather Gaue, of 
Provincetown. Stood in chase of a hark, and which, on 
hoardino-, proved to he Danish. To this vessel we hoisted 
American colors, and passed as the United States steamer 
Iroquois. To all prizes we had captured we hoisted Eng- 
lish colors, and exchanged them for Confederate as soon 
as the hoarding officer gained the vessel's deck. 

Sept. 14, 1.30 A. M. — Gave chase to a sail on lee how ; 
2.30 A. M., fired a gun for her to heave to. Darkness pre- 
vented ns from knowing who she was, so I went on hoard 
to examine her papers, and which, if Yankee, I was to 
signal it and heave to until daylight. AVhat I did on 
hoarding this vessel was the course usually adopted in 
taking prizes. Pulling under his stern I saw it was the 
whaling ship Benjamin Tucker, of and from Xew Bed- 
ford. Gaining the quarter deck, I was welcomed with 
outstretched hands. In answer to my questions, the cajv 
tain told me her name, port of registry, &c., of all which 
I was previously aware. I then told him that he was a 
prize to the Confederate States steamer Alahama, order- 
ing him to put his clothes in one truidv, allowing the 
mates and men one l)ag each — all navigation hooks and 
instruments being left behind. At daylight sent the cajv 
tain and crew, with the ship's ])apers and luggage, to the 
Alal)ama. I then examined tlie ship, and finding some 
cases of stores, they were transferred to our ship. The 
preparations to fire her were soon made, so that after see- 
ing her well fired we pushed off and regained our vessel, 
the i:)risoners being placed in single irons. 

October 3.^ — Earl}- in the morning the joyful cry of 
" Sail ho 1" was heard from the masthead ; presently three 
sails were reported as being in sight. At 7.30 came up 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 57 

with one, lioisted the St. George's ensign, boarded, hauled 
down, and lioisted the Stars and Bars, and took possession 
of the ship Emily Farnum, of Portsmouth. Made sail 
after another prize, following astern. On boarding, she 
was found to be the ship Brilliant, of and from ^ew 
York, twelve days out, bound to Liverpool with a valu- 
able cargo of grain and flour. The cargo of the Emily 
Farnum proving to be neutral, and the prisoners becoming 
irksome, it was deemed a favorable opportunity to get rid 
of them. All the prisoners were then placed on board of 
her, and the ship allowed to proceed on lier voyage, her 
captain promising to land them in Liverpool. It seemed 
a fearful thing to burn such a cargo as the Brilliant had, 
when I thought how the operatives in the cotton districts 
would have danced with joy had they it shared among 
them. I never saw a vessel burn Math such brilliancy, 
the flames completely enveloping the masts, hull and rig- 
ging in a few minutes, making a sight as grand as it was 
appalling. 

This is the only occasion in which the writer seems to 
have felt any twitchings of conscience. He did not like 
the idea of a whole cargo of grain going to the bottom of 
the ocean while the operatives of Lancvashire were starv- 
ing. It did not occur to him, however, in this connec- 
tion, to recall to memory how some of the very shipping 
he was so recklessly destroying had been employed by the 
benevolent people of the Unit'ed States to convey food to 
the famishing thousands of Lancashire weavers. "We 
proceed : 

May 20.— Strong S. S. E. wind, with a heavy sea. 
10.30 A. M., two vessels in sight; gave chase. Another 
vessel seen. Hoisted United States colors to a ship; she 
not replying, signalled, "I want to speak to you;" upon 
which she stood toward us and hoisted Yankee colors 
also. On boarding, took possession— the ship S. Gilder- 
sleeve of mw York, Sunderland, to Calcutta, laden with 
coal. Chased a bark, which, on boarding, I found to be 



58 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

the Justina of Baltimore, Rio de Janeiro to Baltimore, in 
ballast. Chased another vessel, which proved to be 
Dutch. The Justina was ransomed and allowed to pro- 
ceed on her voyage, taking with her the crew of the just 
captured ship. 

!N'ov. 8, 2 A. M. — Made sail in chase of a schooner stand- 
ing to the southward. Another vessel standing northeast 
in sight shortly after. AVent in chase of her. She showed 
Yankee colors. AVe answered l)y showing the same. In 
reply to his signal we passed as the United States Ticon- 
deroga. The signal, " AVhat is j^our longitude?" we de- 
clined answering until we could verbally do it. ITove to 
until she neared us, tluMi fired a gun and hoisted the Con- 
federate ensign. tSent a boat on board and took posses- 
sion. Found her to be the Thonuis B. Wales, of ]3oston, 
from Calcutta, with a general cargo, having as passenger 
the late United States Cojisul at Mauritius, with his wife 
and two children, the captain having his wife with him 
also. They were accommodated in the wardroom, tlie 
officers vacating their rooms for that pur}iose. Many 
articles for ship's use were taken from her, including a 
mainyard ; at sunset burned her. Shipped eleven hands. 

ISTov. 21. — Reduced sail to topsails, and hove maintop- 
sail to the mast ; 5.10 a. m., filled away again ; 10 a. m., 
saw the Agripina, and signalled her to follow ; saw the 
land and a ship at 1 o'clock. At 3, got up steam and 
stood in toward Blanquilla. Drawing in toward the har- 
l)or, we observed a schooner at anchor. On coming within 
signal range she hoisted the Stars and Stripes ; we an- 
swered by hoisting the same ; shortly after, a boat put oft' 
from her. Coming on l)oard (without undeceiving him) 
we asked him about the anchorage ; after receiving satis- 
factory rei)lies, we hauled down the Yankee flag and 
hoisted the Confederate ensign. Great, indeed, was the 
poor Yankee's astonishment. Captain Semmes told him 
that, as he was at anchor, he should not destroy his ves- 
sel, but that, for our safety, we should detain him, order- 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 59 

iiig tlie captain and mate to come on board every even- 
ing, and depart each morning to their own vessel. She 
proved to be the Clara L. S^tarks, whaler, of Province- 
town. 

The cool eftrontery exhibited in this last paragraph 
(the words we have put in small capitals) must, under 
the circumstances, be regarded as " chivalrous " indeecl. 
We have space only for another extract. It describes the 
way in which the United States gunboat Hatteras was 
taken. It is as follows : 

January 11. — At 6.30 the strange steamer hailed and 
asked, " What steamer is that ?" ■ We replied, (in order 
to be certain who he was,) " Her Majesty's steamer 
Petrel !" " What steamer is that ?" Two or three times 
we asked the question, until we heard, " This is the 

United States steamer ," not hearing the name. 

However, United States was sufficient. As no doubt 
existed as to her character, we said, at 6.36, that this was 
the Confederate steamer Alabama, accompanying the last 
syllable of our name with a shell fired over him. The 
signal being given, the other guns took up the refrain, 
and a tremendous volley from our whole broadside given 
to him, every shell striking her side, the shot striking 
being distinctly heard on board our vessel, and thus found 
that she Avas iron. The enemy replied, and the action 
became general. A most shai'p, spirited firing was kept 
up on both sides ; our fellows peppering away as though 
the action depended on each individual. And so it did. 
Pistols and rifles were continually pouring from our 
quarter deck messengers most deadly; the distance dur- 
ing the hottest of the fight not being more than forty 
yards. It was a grand though fearful sight to see the 
guns belching forth, in the darkness of the night, sheets 
of living flame, the deadly missiles striking the enemy 
with a force that we could feel. 

The result was the captain surrendered and the vessel 
was sunk. Need we add more? We think not. Let 



60 The Alabama and the Kearsargc. 

us express; a hope tliat, with revelations such as these, 
and with many otliers M'hich we might give from the 
same })amplilet, tlie lionorahle epithets of '" pluck," 
''spirit," "courage," and "chivalry," which we are 
always happy to apply when and where they are really 
merited, will never again he associated with deceptions 
so lia grant, cunning so despicable, and conduct altogether 
so foreign to what becomes gallant or true men, even 
when engaged in an unworthy cause. 



CAPTAI^^ SExMMES, C. S. A. K 

June 19, 186-4. 

Out of Cherbourg harbor one clear 
Sunday morning the cavalier 
Captain Semmes, with his cap a-cock, 
Sailed from the friendly Frenchman's dock. 
Gayly along the rebel came. 
Under the flag of the cross of shame ; 
Knight of the haiidcuti" and bloody lash, 
lie twisted the point of his red moustache. 
And swore, in English, not over nice. 
To sink our Yankee scum in a trice, 
Or burn our ship, as the thing might be. 
Where the eyes of Cherbourg all should see. 

" Ileigh-ho ! you don't say so !" 
Whispered his friend, litHe Jean Crapaud. 

Semmes has been a wolf of the deep 
For many a day to harmless sheep ; 
Ships he scuttled, and robbed, and burned. 
Watches pilfered and pockets turned ; 
And all his plunder, bonds and gold 
lie left for his Gallic friend to hold. 



The Alabama and the Kearsargc. 61 

A little over prudent was he 

For a cavalier of liigli degree ; 

And Raphael Semnies don't sound, indeed. 

As if it came of the purple seed ; 

But all the blood in his veins was blue, 

And his clay was porcelain through and through. 

Heigh-ho ! the Lord doth know 
We are but dirt, and our blood's so-so. 

"What will the doughty Captain do, 
With his British ship, his British crew, 
His gunners, trained in the " Excellent," 
The guns his cousin Blakely sent. 
His shot and shell at Woolwich made. 
What will he do with the whole parade ? 
Up to the top of his cliffs Crapaud 
Had clambered to see the Sunday show ; 
And his brother Bull, in his fancy yacht. 
Stood off" and on towards the fated spot ; 
And right across the bold Captain's way 
The Ivearsarge steamed in her war array. 

" Heigh-ho !" said Semmes, " Let's blow 
That craft to splinters before we go." 

Semmes had heard, with his lip a-curl, 

Li Cherbourg, that some northern churl, 

Backed by a gang of onion-eaters. 

Waited the noble nes:ro-beaters. 

Shop-keeping, peddling, vulgar knaves, 

To stick their heads into open graves ! 

" 'Sdeath ! 'Swounds ! 'Ods bodkins I Ha ! what then, 

Will they dare to tight with gentlemen ? 

had I my lance, and shield, and things, 

With which I tilted at Sulphur Springs ! 

Or a troop of horse marines ! Of course, 

A knight is nothing without his horse." 

Heigh-ho ! this seemed to show 
Our hero's spirits were running low. 



G2 The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 

Sh'aight out to sea the Kearsarge drew, 

And Semmes, who followed all that flew, 

Followed, perhaps by some mistake. 

Close in liis foemaii's frothing wake. 

But wlicii three leagues were gained from shore, 

Slowly and grimly the Yankee wore; 

And our starry ensign leaped above. 

Round which the wind, like a fluttering dove. 

Cooed low, and the sunshine of God's day 

Like an open blessing on it lay ; 

So we felt our friendless ship would fight 

Full under the great Disposer's sight. 

lleigh-ho ! 'tis well to know 
Who looks on the deeds done here below. 

Semmes led the waltz and struck the tune ; 

Shots at the sea and at the moon 

The swashing, wasteful cavalier 

Scattered around him far and near. 

The saving Yankees squandered not 

An ounce of powder or pound of shot. 

They lield their peace till the guns would tell. 

Then out they burst like the mouths of hell. 

Terribk', horrible! how they tore 

The Alabama, until the gore 

Fn^m her bursting scuppers smoked and streamed, 

The dying groaned and the wounded screamed! 

'^ Trcii>i;h-ho! ' said Semmes, " let's show 
The Yankees the heels we boast of so." 

Seven times in that deadly round 
Sped the ships to the cannon's sound. 
The vulture, through the smoke and din, 
Saw the eagle's circles narroAving in ; 
And every time her pivots roared 
The fatal bomb-shells came straiglit aboard. 
His helm was useless, his engine failed, 
His ])owder was wet, liis Britons rpiailed ; 



The Alabama and the Kearsarge. 63 

And ill liis course, like a warning hand, 
Stretched forth the flag of his outraged land. 
In vain he hoisted his sails to flee ; 
For each foot he sailed, his foe sailed three. 

Heigh-ho ! '' Why here's a blow !" 
Said Senimes, as he hauled his flag below. 

Well was it for the cavalier 

That brother Bull was lying near. 

His vessel with a haughty curl 

Turned up her nose, and in the whirl 

Of the white sea, stern foremost, tore 

As if in scorn of the crew she bore. 

Then the thrifty Briton launched his boat. 

To pick up aught that might be afloat. 

And amongst other less precious spoil, 

Fished swordless Semmes from his w^atery coil ; 

" Hide me !" the gallant cried in aftright ; 

" Cover me up from the Yankee's sight." 

Heigh-ho ! they laid him low, 
AVith a bit of sail to hide his woe. 

Safely they bore the chief aboard. 
Leaving behind his fame and sword : 
And then the Deerhound stole away. 
Lest Winslow's guns might have a say ; 
Landed him in Southampton town. 
Where heroes like him have had renown. 
Ever since Lawrence, Perry and Hull 
Took hold of the horns of great John Bull. 
Had I been Winslow, I say to you. 
As the sea is green, the sky is blue. 
Through the Deerhound I'd have sent a shot, 
And John might have liked the thing or not. 

Heigh-ho ! come soon or slow. 
In the end we are bound to have a blow. 



64 The Alabama and the Kearsargc. 

What said the Frenehiiiaii from liis hill 

After the caimon-shots Avere still 'r' 

What said the Briton from his deck, 

Gazing down on the snnken wreck? 

Sometliing was said of guns like mortars, 

And something of smooth-bores at close quarters ; 

Chain armor furnished a word or two ; 

But the end of all was hoth looked blue. 

They sighed again o'er the "• Great Contention," 

But never hinted at "Intervention." 

One thing they wished, which they dared not sa}-, 

'•'■ If tlie tight had ])ut gone the other way I 

Ileigh-ho ! I told you so ! 
1 Semmes was a sorry fool to go !" 

George H. Boker. 



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